Overshot



Nov. 9, 1937. w. L. CHURCH ,098,

OVERSHOT Filed Jan. 31 1935 2 Sheets-Shet l Nov. 9, 1937. w. L. CHURCH OVERSHOT Filed Jan. 31, 1935 '2 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 9, 1937 wimi s eATENT or ies 2,098,332 ovnnsno'r Walter'L. Church,=Houston,' Ten. application January 31, 1935, Serial No. 4,262

, 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an overshot.

An object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described adapted to beconnected to an operating string and lowered into a well bore overa pipe in said bore, and having novel pipe engaging means for gripping the pipe whereby the pipe may be removed from the bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in an overshot, novel means for releasing the pipe engaging means from the pipe whereby the tool may be withdrawn in case the pipe can not be pulled.

The invention comprehends novel means for retaining the pipe engaging means retracted or inactive, and for releasing the pipe engaging means by manipulation of the operating string, and means for moving the pipe engaging means into active positionin engagement with the pipe upon such release. 7

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation, and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a fragmentary side elevation of the tool, shown partly in section, with the pipe engaging slips in inactive position.

Figure 2 shows a fragmentary side elevation of the tool, partly in section, showing the slips in active position in engagement with the pipe;

Figure 3 shows an upper end View of the slip support.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the support and the slips depending therefrom.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, and 4 Figure 7 shows .a side elevation of the complete tool as applied to the pipe to be pulled.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures, the numeral l designates a shell or housing to the lower end of which the guide 2 is connected. A coupling 3 is connected to the upper end of the shell and an operating string 4 is attached to the upper end of this coupling and extends to the ground surface.

Within the shell and beneath the lower end of the coupling 3, there is a tubular slip support 5 whose lower end is reduced, and the upper ends 6. of the wedge shaped slips 8 are fitted around annular groove therein and which is adapted to fit closely around the pipe IE, to be pulled, when the tool is inserted over said pipe, as shown in Figure 2. r

The slip support 5 is provided with J-slots'i3 15 whose lower ends are widened andwhich extend to the upper endof said support. The shell I has inwardly projecting keys !4 secured thereto which work in the slots l3.

The lower end of the support 5 is inwardly 20 thickened, forming an annular seat l5, and a strong coil spring I6 is located within said slip support and is seated on the seat I5 with its upper end resisting against the lower end of the coupling 3. 25

- upper or inactive position.

When in this position, the tool may be lowered into the well over the upper end of the stuck pipe l2 until the lower end of the slip support 5 lands on the upper end of said pipe. The operating 35 string may be then turned slightly to the left to carry the keys I out of the laterally turned portions of the J-slots I3, and during this turning movement, the ratchet teeth I! on the lower end of the slip support will engage the upper end of the pipe I2 to hold said support against turning. Thereupon, the tool may be slightly elevated but the spring [6 will move' the'slip support 5, and the slips carried thereby, relatively downwardly, and the slips will ride on the downwardly and inwardly tapering faces 9 and will thereby'be moved inwardly into engagement with the pipe l2.

An upward pull may then efiect the removal of the stuck pipe.

If desired, water under pressure may be forced down through the operating string 3, and the packing l I will force this water to'flow on downwardly through the stuck pipe l2 and out at the 55 lower end thereof and back up around said pipe, thus assisting in freeing the pipe and washing it loose.

In case the stuck p-ipe can not be removed, the operating string may be lowered and turned to the right to carry the keys I 4 into the laterally turned portions of the J-slots I3, and thus will cause a relative upward movement of the slips 8 with relation to the shell I, releasing the slips from the stuck pipe and maintaining them so released. Whereupon the tool may be withdrawn from the bore.

The drawings and description disclose what is now considered to be a preferred form of the invention by way of illustration only, while the broad principle of the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:-

1. An overshot comprising a shell like housing, an operating string whose end is screwed into the housing forming a downwardly facing abutment, a tubular slip support in the housing having external J slots and whose lower end is inwardly thickened forming an upwardly facing shoulder, keys secured to the shell and working in said J slots, independent slips depending from the support, radial pins securing the upper ends of the slips to the support, said housing and slips lower end is inwardly thickened forming an upwardly facing shoulder and whose lower end is alsoprovided with teeth, keys on the shell working in the J-slots, independent slips depending from the support, set screws in horizontal alignment with the housing opening and securing the upper ends of the slips to the support, said housing and slips having co-acting faces shaped to efiect the contraction of the slips upon downward movement of the support relative to the housing, a coil spring between the abutment and shoulder and housed within the support and effective to accelerate such downward movement and to maintain the slips contracted and a removable plug for closing said side opening.

- WALTER L. CHURCH. 

